2014 Diversity Conference:Crossroads-An Opportunity for Progress

Keynote: Lee Bollinger

Lee C. Bollinger is the President of Columbia University. A prominent advocate of affirmative action, he played a leading role in the twin Supreme Court cases—Grutter v Bollinger and Gratz v Bollinger—that upheld and clarified the importance of diversity as a compelling justification for affirmative action in higher education. A leading First Amendment scholar, he is widely published on freedom of speech and press, and currently serves on the faculty of Columbia Law School. Read official bio here.

Theme

After a year of milestone Supreme Court cases, University communities and the nation at large are at a critical crossroads for defining how diversity impacts college admissions, individual rights and freedoms, political systems, and larger social and cultural implications. This year’s conference “Crossroads: An Opportunity for Progress” will explore where we are as a University and community, in regards to race, power, and redefining diversity. As in previous conferences, we seek to promote respectful dialogue, open-mindedness, the acceptance of others, and the celebration of diversity and inclusiveness.